Georgia’s children are struggling with hunger, with nearly half a million facing food insecurity. This issue is not just about short-term hunger pangs, but also about long-term developmental delays, decreased academic performance, chronic illness, and life-long socioeconomic costs.
The Problem
The percent of food insecure children in Georgia falls between 9 and 45 percent in most counties. Post-pandemic, food insecurity jumped to a record high in the state, with over 100,000 children being added to the food insecure population and the rate jumping 4 percent from 2019 to 2023.
Recent SNAP reforms have downsized the program 20 percent, and maxed most benefits out at $9 per individual per day, barely enough to cover a singular meal. Work requirements of 20 hours a week have been expanded for some recipients 14 and older, leaving Georgia high schoolers stranded without benefits.
Possible Solutions
Universal school meals, which states like California, Maine, and Colorado have already adopted, remove the stigma and administrative barriers entirely. Every kid eats, moving Georgia’s school meals program from means-tested to universal.
A more conservative option would be year-round meal access. This involves expanding programs like Summer EBT, a federal program Georgia chose to opt-out of, providing parents with a $40/mo or $120/year stipend on their EBT/SNAP card.
Auto-enrollment, or ‘linkage’ between social services can help reduce administrative burden and complex enrollment paperwork. Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can all be linked.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
